WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Direct Selling Association’s (DSA’s) SuperPAC, Direct Selling Empowers Americans, today announced the release of new advertisements supporting six U.S. congressional candidates in recognition of their commitment to direct selling and the opportunity it provides more than 20 million Americans.

The ads appear in newspapers across the country as part of a national campaign to support the following candidates who have stood up for direct selling:

• U.S. Rep. Tony Cárdenas (D-Calif.)
• U.S. Rep. Grace Napolitano (D- Calif.)
• U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas)
• U.S. Rep. Brenda Lawrence (D-Mich.)
• U.S. Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio)
• U.S. Rep. Leonard Lance (R-N.J.)

“We want voters to be informed and understand the positive impact of direct selling across America,” said Joseph Mariano, President of DSA. “We’re proud to support these candidates for federal office that have stood with direct sellers during the past election cycle.”

DSA recently released its 2016 Voters’ Guide, which includes a breakdown of 48 elected officials and the substantive areas in which they have been involved with direct selling. Federal candidates identified include members of the congressional Direct Selling Caucus, as well as sponsors and co-sponsors of consumer protection legislation, the Anti-Pyramid Promotional Scheme Act of 2016 (H.R. 5230). This bipartisan proposal aims to provide greater clarity in federal law for consumers to avoid pyramid schemes and give direct selling companies more guidance on ethical business practices.

Nationwide, more than 20 million Americans are involved in direct selling – which involves the sale of products and services person-to-person, through home parties or online – and provides independent consultants with personal flexibility, the opportunity to own their own businesses and the chance to achieve a variety of personal and professional goals. Direct retail sales continue to grow year after year to more than $36 billion in 2015.

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ABOUT DIRECT SELLING ASSOCIATION

The Direct Selling Association (DSA) is the national trade association for companies that offer entrepreneurial opportunities to independent sellers to market and sell products and services, typically outside of a fixed retail establishment. More than 20 million Americans are involved in direct selling in every state, congressional district and community in the United States. In 2015, direct selling generated more than $36 billion in retail sales. For more information, visit www.dsa.org.